AGE OF FISHES MUSEUM CANOWINDRA
Imagine a world ruled by fish! Long before the dinosaurs the mighty rivers of the Central West teamed with bizarre ancient fishes – fish with armour shells, fish with lungs, and huge predators with jaws like crocodiles. Thousands of their fossils were found at Canowindra and give us a unique glimpse into life during the Devonian Period – the ‘Age of Fishes’.
A chance discovery in 1955 revealed an extensive fossil bed dating from the Devonian Period. This 360 million year old formation contained the fossilised remains of over 3500 freshwater fish. Many were new to science. This unique fossil collection is now on public display in the township of Canowindra, only a short distance from the discovery location.
Following the major excavation by Dr Alex Ritchie in July 1993, the realisation of the scale and importance of the fossil find prompted the construction of a fish fossil museum to house and display the collection.
The Museum contains many of these beautiful fossils together with live aquarium displays and wonderful recreations of life in the Devonian. The Age of Fishes Museum has a wonderful gift shop and two permanent exhibitions, a sculpture garden, time-line and picnic ground.
The Age of Fishes Museum is open 5 days per week. The Visitor Information Centre and the gift shop are free while the permanent exhibitions incur an entry charge.
Opening Hours:
Open 10am to 3.45pm Thursday – Monday
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday (except in NSW School Holidays).
The Museum is an accessible building and offers, ramps, and accessible bathroom facilities.
A: Corner of Gaskill and Ferguson Street, Canowindra NSW 2804
P: 02 6344 1008
E: fish@cabonne.nsw.gov.au
REVIEWS
“A brilliant museum dedicated to the Devonian placoderms of Canowindra. The museum includes some of the best fish fossils in the world as well as fun activities to entertain your kids. Definitely recommend for young kids and adults alike.” – Peer
“My friend and I loved visiting Canowindra and the Age of Fishes Museum.
The staff were so passionate and helpful. They gave great recommendations of where to go and what to do in the local area and really new their stuff when it came to the Museum and the fossils with in. The layout and progression from one section to the next offered the perfect mix of visual and interactive information as well as opportunities for the adults to continue reading while the kids played fun games. Also loved the outdoor area with its timeline walk and massive board games, sculptures and picnic tables. We’ll definitely be back and we’ll bring a picnic lunch with us” – Cindy
“Very interesting displays of fossils, explanations and movies showing computer animated reconstructions of prehistoric marine life. The fossils found in the area are slabs of rock with very detailed impressions of fish left tens of millions of years ago. The detail that has been preserved is pretty amazing well worth a visit if you are in the area. Half-hour to hour visit. Good for both children and adults.” – Rafi
